The Jonang School, one of several different schools of Tibetan Thangka painting, emerged hundreds of years ago in ancient Tibet and matured in artistic style between the 14th and 16th centuries. It boasts a long history of inherited teachings and outstanding artistic technique; it is therefore renowned for its unique style and has been promoted by generations of eminent monks.

The Jonang School of Tibetan Thangka is best represented by the exquisite frescoes in Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery in Lhatse county of Shigatse Prefecture, which was built and designed by Jonang Taranatha (1575-1634), a famous Jonang monk who lived in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

These days there remains over 200 meters of walls that are decorated with frescoes in Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery, covering a total area of nearly a thousand square meters. The frescoes combine elements of Indian, Nepali, ethnic Tibetan, and ethnic Han art, and show the Buddha's biography, Buddhist teachings and the generations of lineage holders. The images include plenty of characters, spirits, beasts, landscapes, flowers and birds, and ritual instruments.

The paintings of Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery possess not only important historical value, but also exquisite artistic merits; art of this style and quality is rare throughout Tibetan areas.

Photo shows part of the main assembly hall of Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows part of the main assembly hall of Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows the inside of the main assembly hall of Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows part of the main assembly hall of Ganden Phuntsokling Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

This Thangka shows the Goddess of Mercy with a thousand arms and a thousand eyes, a contemporary masterpiece of the Jonang School. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The 47th abbot of the Jonang sect, Jianyang Lezhu Rinpoche, is painting a Thangka. [Photo/China Tibet Online]